RUMFORD – The second annual Nordic race for the Chummy Broomhall Cup is this weekend and is expected to draw hundreds of competitors, volunteers and spectators to Black Mountain.

Andy Shepard, president and chief executive officer of the Maine Winter Sports Center, parent company of Black Mountain, said nine colleges with about 120 women and men skiers are expected to participate in Sunday’s events.

Last year, Bates College in Lewiston won the crystal cup in honor of Broomhall, a local man who won medals at the Winter Olympics several decades ago. Presenting the award late Sunday afternoon will be Broomhall, Shepard and Libra Foundation President Owen Wells. The Libra Foundation provided most of the money to upgrade the small, family-oriented ski area.

The Broomhall race is one of two major races taking place.

On both Saturday and Sunday, hundreds of young skiers up to age 20 will take part in the Eastern Cup race, which is one of the events held to select a junior Olympic team.

Although both Nordic events are taking place this weekend, Shepard said other skiers and tubers can still take to the slopes because of the reconfiguration of the trails that allows events and individuals to use the facility at the same time.

Several of the longest ski trails that had been closed for the past two weekends because of unseasonably warm weather that caused slush and mud have reopened after work by co-operations managers Bob Chase and Matt Fuller.

According to a news release issued by Craig Zurhorst, spokesman for the mountain, the summit triple chairlift, novice double chairlift, T-bar, terrain park, and Moose Run will all be open.

Hours for the weekend are 3 to 6 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

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